Business

History

Soichiro has a proven track record in the real estate industry, having successfully planned and developed around 30 high-end residential projects comprising over 5,000 units during a tenure of approximately 10 years at Mitsui Fudosan Residential.
Subsequently, he transitioned to Field Management, a renowned strategy consulting firm led by Yuta Namiki, who was at one time the youngest ever board member at McKinsey & Company. There, Soichiro honed his skills in devising and executing management and brand strategies for a diverse range of entities, including a major airline company and a prestigious international luxury brand.
Next, he served as Executive Officer at GA technologies, where he held significant responsibilities as the General Manager of the Corporate Strategy Division and the head of the New Business Department.
Fueled by his profound expertise in development and brand strategy, he embarked on a new venture, founding HERM. His vision is to create a world-class luxury resort brand originating from Japan, with the goal of offering unforgettable experiences that enrich and elevate the value of the precious time we have on this earth.
Alma Mater: Keio University

Role at HERM

CEO & Brand Owner

History

Shun played a pivotal role during his tenure at Mitsubishi Jisho Design where he headed numerous prestigious architectural projects. These include a bespoke guest house for the chairman of a prominent regional bank, a bank head office building, and other high-value properties including luxury hotels.

Subsequently, at LINE, he became deeply involved in the realm of ‘architecture x branding.’ Shun channeled his talents into crafting innovative designs for LINE offices and other leading companies, acquiring invaluable knowledge and experience in the process.

His creative journey continued at GA technologies, where he collaborated closely Soichiro Kawasaki, with whom he would later go on to found HERM. Together, they tackled high-end residential designs while also becoming involved in launching new business ventures.

Right from the inception of HERM, Shun has been an integral part of the team, fueling his passion for revolutionizing resort architecture. His overarching mission revolves around crafting world-class Japanese architectural wonders, all centered on brand identity and delivering unparalleled guest experiences.

Alma Mater: Department of Architecture, Chiba University Graduate School & Faculty of Engineering

Role at HERM

Architectural Director
Shun is responsible for overseeing the architectural and interior design in the development of new resorts, as well as directing joint design projects with top overseas architects.

History

Nami's childhood dream was to become a painter. Her fascination with brand design began during her student days and continued to flourish. During her college years, she journeyed to France to study art and contributed to the renowned chocolatier Sadaharu Aoki Paris. Following this, she held creative roles in multiple startups, including GA technologies.
Driven by her personal creativity, Nami’s primary goal is to cultivate HERM into a brand which inspires and is loved by everyone is touches. Nami has been an integral part of HERM since its inception, channeling her passion into its growth.
Alma Mater: Keio University

Role at HERM

Creative Director
Nami oversees the creative direction and production for the brand at large including the website, promotional videos, and PR for the managed hotels.

History

Having held executive positions at numerous luxury hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Montage, and Conrad in the United States, Masato is a seasoned professional in luxury hospitality. With a strong focus on strengthening employee relationships, he consistently goes beyond expectations in operational management and financial performance. Fluent in English and French, Masato has accumulated experience in five of the world's most renowned Forbes 5-star hotels.
In 2017, Masato assumed the role of Deputy General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, after which he joined HERM from its inception year. His goal is to create a hotel brand that truly caters to the needs and wants of individual guests on a level which is completely beyond what is offered by large-scale luxury hotel chains.

Role at HERM

Director of Operations Development
Masato leads overall business development initiatives in the operational domain, encompassing the planning of new resort developments and the assessment/consultation of operational management for existing hotels.

History

With 10 years of experience spanning various roles at Mitsui Fudosan Residence, including 6 years in land acquisition and 4 years in individual and corporate sales, Kyohei has established a wide network of relationships with real estate agents, financial institutions, local contractors, and landowners. Even after venturing independently in 2019, he has continued to excel as a sales specialist in a diverse range of fields. Leveraging his innate ability to build strong connections, Kyohei has been actively supporting HERM in network development since its founding, and in 2023, he formally joined HERM to contribute to its business creation efforts.

Role at HERM

Director of Acquisition
Kyohei is responsible for acquiring development sites and project information, as well as expanding the investor network.

History

With over 25 years of experience in finance institutions and overseas fund management companies, Naoki has extensive expertise in securitization and investment activities in the hotel and real estate sectors across Japan, the United States, and Australia. He has been involved in financing over 130 hotel projects, including 5-star properties, leveraging his vast network with domestic financial institutions and investors. Known for his ability to scrutinize and assess the feasibility of plans based on his years of experience in hotel finance, Naoki excels in ensuring the viability of projects.
Dedicated to achieving the perfect balance between crafting quality hotels and generating cash flows, Naoki is on a constant journey to explore the synergy between hotels and finance. His vision is to elevate HERM to the highest levels among the world's most renowned luxury hospitality brands.

Role at HERM

Director of Project Finance
Naoki is responsible for identifying and coordinating with investors and financial institutions for each project. He also oversees the scrutiny and review of development and operational plans.

History

With over 15 years of experience in architectural design at renowned firms such as the atelier of Architect Atsushi Kitagawara and Nikken Sekkei, Norihiko Fukao has contributed to the design of large-scale buildings including hotels, offices, and redevelopment projects. Inspired by the allure of luxury hotels, he has shifted his focus to the hospitality sector. In 2020, he embarked on an independent journey as an architect, concurrently producing art and fashion events utilizing hotel spaces.
Norihiko joined HERM as Senior Architect, bringing his wealth of knowledge and unique insights gained from studying numerous hotels from an architectural perspective.

Alma Mater: Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo

Role at HERM

Senior Architect
Norihiko leads the design process in new resort developments, directing collaborative design efforts with top architects from around the world.

History

With a background in contributing to interior designs of esteemed global luxury hotels at Hong Kong's Remedios Studio – including Ritz-Carlton Hotel Xian and Ocean Park Resort Hotel, Paris has a wealth of expertise in luxury hospitality interior design. Following this, she established an independent practice in Japan, delivering luxury artworks for establishments like Halekulani Okinawa and Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo Otemachi.
Paris joined the HERM team, guided by her passion for encapsulating the unique essence of brands through interior design.

Role at HERM

Hospitality Interior Designer & Art Consultant
Paris oversees the interior design, FFE, art curation, and fine-tuning of the overall luxury ambiance for ongoing development and design projects.

History

Tomoko has been involved in the operations of international hotels since she was a university student, fostering a keen interest in hotel spaces and guest experiences. She later transitioned to project management roles in hotel and office development projects at architectural firms and CBRE, a leading global real estate services company. After contributing to renovation projects for large-scale facilities in Europe at Nikken Sekkei, she returned to Japan to spearhead the development of luxury residences and resorts near Tokyo.

Role at HERM

Senior Development Manager
Tomoko is responsible for driving and managing all aspects of new resort development projects.

History

Yasunari has held roles including Sales Director, Deputy General Manager, and General Manager at luxury hotel brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Hyatt, and The Westin. With extensive experience in sales and operations in both city and resort settings, he excels in strategic sales and marketing for the luxury segment. He prioritizes creating memorable guest experiences and enhancing customer satisfaction through staff training. Believing that staff are a hotel's most valuable asset, he resonates with HERM's people-centric approach to management and its values, aiming to deliver memorable luxury services.

Role at HERM

Corporate Director of Sales and Operations
Yasunari oversees operational and sales initiatives for hotels operated by HERM.

History

With 30 years of experience at the forefront of luxury hotel services, Yoshihisa has made his mark at renowned establishments like The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo and Park Hyatt Tokyo. During his time at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, Yoshihisa held key positions as Director of Guest Relations and VIP Butler Manager. With a reputation for his ability to cater to numerous globally recognized individuals, Yoshihisa has earned a prominent place in the luxury hotel industry, frequently receiving direct requests for his services.
Since joining HERM in its founding year, Yoshihisa has been an integral part of the team. From attending to first-time guests to globally renowned VIPs, he remains dedicated to delivering exceptional personalized services that resonate with each client’s emotions on a profound level.

Role at HERM

Executive Butler
Responsible for enhancing service quality and training across all hotels under HERM’s management as Corporate Director of Customer Relationships. Additionally, as Executive Butler, Yoshihisa personally serves visiting celebrities and various other VIPs.

History

After graduating from a prestigious hotel management school in Switzerland, Riho gained experience as a hotelier at esteemed establishments including Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz-Carlton, and Hilton. Subsequently, she ventured into the planning and development of luxury hotels at Pan Pacific International Holdings and T&G where she accumulated extensive experience and know-how.
With aspirations to eventually establish her own hotel brand in the future, Riho embraced the challenges that HERM has to offer.

Role at HERM

General Manager

History

Takeyuki has a wealth of management experience at top domestic and international hospitality establishments including The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, Montage Laguna Beach, The Westin Yokohama, and La Casa Del Camino. He has held executive positions in overall hotel operations, front office, guest services and spa divisions.
He has also played an instrumental role in attaining the coveted Triple 5-Star recognition for accommodations, restaurants, and spa services in a single establishment.
Takeyuki joined HERM with a mission: to create a luxury resort brand that cultivates profound emotional attachments for both guests and fellow hoteliers alike.

Role at HERM

General Manager

History

Drawing on a foundation of professional experience in the hospitality industry in Japan, Yuki has honed her career at luxury resorts in Thailand. She served as Rooms Division Manager at Aman's iconic Amanpuri, Resort Manager at Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spa, and Resident Manager at the state-of-the-art wellness facility RAKxa. This journey positioned her as an executive in the realm of global luxury resorts and wellness retreats.
Upon returning to Japan in 2022, she assumed the role of Director of Rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto before arriving at her current position. With a vision unhindered by conventional industry norms, she is dedicated to creating hotels and resorts that epitomize authentic personalized service. Her commitment to fostering a culture of continuous reform aligns perfectly with HERM's mission to create hotels and resorts that offer genuine personalized experiences while maintaining agility in driving change.
Alma Mater: Osaka University of Foreign Studies

Role at HERM

Assistant General Manager

History

Prior to his appointment as PA to the CEO and Head of Administration at HERM in 2023, Taichi Watanabe served at the Embassy of India as an interpreter, secretary, and speechwriter for a variety of senior diplomats including the Ambassador. He contributed to high-level events such as summits and G20/G7 forums, and acted as an interpreter during the state visit of the President of India. Parallel to these duties, Taichi gained over 7 years of administrative leadership experience at the Embassy. Taichi has also contributed as a freelance translator and editor to multiple international publications such as "Yukio Mishima: The Death of a Man" by Kishin Shinoyama and "Hiro in Exile" by Hiro Igarashi.

Role at HERM

PA to CEO / Head of Administration
Taichi holds a dual role as secretary to the CEO and head of the administrative department.

History

After graduating from a national culinary school in Italy, Hidemasa honed his skills under the tutelage of the renowned French cuisine expert, Roger Vergé. Within a few short years after graduation, he assumed the role of Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. At the age of 28, he orchestrated the inaugural dinner for the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, setting the stage for a distinguished career. He continued to serve as Executive Chef for subsequent presidential inaugurations, including those of Presidents Bush and Clinton, captivating the American financial and celebrity spheres.
Subsequently, as the inaugural Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, he played a significant role in the hotel's historic achievement of being the world's first to achieve a 6-star rating. To this day, he remains actively engaged, contributing to the success of numerous restaurants and hotels through his wide-ranging expertise.

Role at HERM

Special Advisor for F&B